Press release from the Humboldt County Joint Information Center:

No new cases of COVID-19 were reported today, so the total number of county residents who have tested positive for the virus remains at 3,025. Public Health officials said that while zero cases is always good news, today’s report follows a national holiday when the Humboldt County Public Health Laboratory was closed and most commercial labs were not providing data. Health officials urged community residents to continue following all COVID-19 safety measures when around those who are not a part of one’s household.  

Humboldt County remains in the “Purple” or widespread tier under the California’s “Blueprint for a Safer Economy,” with a positivity rate of 4.2% and an adjusted case rate of 9. The county met the state’s health equity metric. If the county continues to meet this metric and local virus data remain steady or improve for another week, the county would qualify for reassignment to the “Red” or substantial tier. Go to covid19.ca.gov/safer-economy/ to read more about the Blueprint. 

Currently, preparations are underway to vaccinate food and agriculture workers who make up a part of the younger workforce, but the timing of when this group will open is based on available vaccine supply as well as the number of vaccines on the market that are approved for emergency use. Higher education is also slated to open for vaccine appointments as supply increases and earlier groups are vaccinated in larger numbers. 

Younger adults — the 20-29 and 30-39 age groups — represent 1,305, or approximately 43%, of the county’s 3,025 cases. Vaccination for people in these age groups who are not a part of a qualifying workforce could be months away due to the state’s age-based prioritization, so health officials stressed the importance of seeking routine testing for COVID-19. Learn more and view a list of available testing options at humboldtgov.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=3714. 

For the most recent COVID-19 information, visit cdc.gov or cdph.ca.gov. Local information is available at humboldtgov.org or during business hours by contacting covidinfo@co.humboldt.ca.us or calling 707-441-5000. 

Local COVID-19 vaccine information: humboldtgov.org/vaccineinfo
Humboldt County COVID-19 Data Dashboard: humboldtgov.org/dashboard
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Twitter: @HumCoCOVID19
Humboldt Health Alert: humboldtgov.org/HumboldtHealthAlert 

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